ASP3011

Stars

Dr Paul Cally (Department of Mathematics and Statistics)

4 points - Two 1-hour lectures per week, one 5-day field excursion - First semester - Clayton - Prerequisites: MAT2030, MAT2040, MAT2072 - Recommendations: PHS2022, ASP2031, ASP2042 - Prohibitions: MAA3211, MAT3111

Objectives On the completion of this subject students will be familiar with the basic physics of stars; understand the current evolutionary state of the sun within the context of how different stars evolve in response to changes in their internal structure; know how to take simple observations of stars with real telescopes; appreciate how observations of stars can then be used as a tool for learning about other astronomical objects, in particular, the structure of our own galaxy.

Synopsis Stellar properties; Jean's instability, virial theorem, star formation; thermodynamics; structure equations; polytropic models, nuclear reactions; the Main Sequence; core hydrogen burning and consequences of exhaustion; shell energy sources; red-giants, white-dwarfs, neutron stars and black holes. Field trip to Mt Stromlo Observatory.

Assessment Examination (2 hours): 70% - Assignments: 20% - Field-trip report: 10%

Prescribed texts

Carroll B W and Ostlie D A An introduction to modern astrophysics Addison-Wesley, 1996

Recommended texts

Bowers R and Deeming T D Astrophysics vol. 1, Jones and Bartlett, 1984
Clayton D Principles of stellar evolution and nucleosynthesis U Chicago P, 1983
Kippenhahn R and Weigert A Stellar structure and evolution Springer-Verlag, 1990

Back to the 1999 Science Handbook